Happy New Year Ancient Ones! For those of you who were unable to attend the Annual Meeting, you missed a great time and good food. I will try and give you a recap of the meeting notes and remember if you have questions/concerns you need to contact a member of your Executive Committee

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New Officers:
Booshway - Ray (Nitwit) Hamilton
smokefromthewoods@hotmail.com
(207) 897-5058
Segundo - Rick (Shine) Stevens
flintlock72@yahoo.com
(207)990-0454
Purser - Charlie (Shoot the Moon) Oakes
trapper6@verizon.net
(207)372-8858
Scribe - Michele Briggs

Annual Dues:
This is a reminder to everyone that your annual dues are to be paid at the annual meeting and if unable to attend, your annual dues are to be paid by the LATEST at Spring Vous. This rule has not been adhered to in the past but fair warning: If you do not pay your dues by Spring Vous, your name will be removed from the membership list and therefore the mailing list. Also, since the Scribe is responsible for keeping the membership list current, dues are to be paid to the Scribe, who will promptly forward them to the Purser for deposit. This was voted on and duly passed at the meeting. I will provide you with my mailing address at the end of this letter. Any questions, you have your contact list. In addition, when you pay your dues, you should always ask for a receipt and a membership card as either will provide proof of payment. Family $25, Single $20 & Junior $10.

Club Funds:

I have chosen not to publish the club funds on the website. If you want to know what our statis is contact the Xcom and they will fill you in. I will say this,,,,,, We are doing WELL. Thanks Gomer

As previously approved, the work will continue at our site in Canton. A lot has been completed but still more is scheduled as soon as the site is workable in the spring, including a footing for the Longhouse. There is a possibility of some donated materials for the structure and the hope that we will be able to start assembling it at spring work weekend.

Swan Island:
Another recap of the hard work roofing the shelters on Swan Island and the great time had at the thank you weekend. The Ancient Ones will be donating our time on other yet to be determined projects on the Island, and there will be a sign posted listing the projects completed by our Club. This is a really special place and if you haven't been able to attend a work party, give it a try, you won't regret it.

Bumper Stickers:
We have official bumper stickers and they are awesome! The design is based on the patches and hats made by Julie & Ken Grant and thru teamwork with Merilyn Littlefield. They are available for purchase at $2.00 a piece! Reminder that the patches and hats are also available thru Julie & Ken Grant, both at very reasonable prices! I have the bumper stickers if anyone is interested.......

Medallions:
Terry Briggs is working on a design for medallions for the Gun Show which will be for sale at that time. Also, it was approved by the Club to use the Spring '06 medallions for Vous this year and Terry will just change the date on the existing medallions.

Demos;
Last summers' demos were good & bad. There was a very small turnout for Andover, which is a shame. It's a beautiful area, they pay well and we always get some free publicity from the media. Support your Club and get out and participate in these demos. We always have a great time! Like at Windsor Fair for instance. We had a HUGE turnout, and a LOBSTER FEED generously provided by Charlie & Merilyn, and treats from The Apple Shed Bakery (where I work) Sunday morning! The Black House event was canceled for unknown reasons. Again, I strongly suggest you make these demos. You just never know what's going to happen!!!

Member Concerns:
A concern was brought to one of the officers with regard to non-club members staying after the supper and sitting around the campfire and drinking. This could result in legal problems for the Club. A motion was made and passed for a new rule: If you are not a guest of a paid Club member, you will have to leave the site after the supper

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Ancient Ones Business Cards:
Many members have been approached and asked for a business card. Until this time, we have never had them. A motion was made and passed that we will have Ancient Ones of Maine business cards printed and available for distribution by Club members. Yet another great Way to get our Club name out there and let people know what we are all about.

Ancient Ones of Maine Website:
Please remember to use your website! It contains real time information on shoots, demos, events, meetings and other things of interest, and is a great way to keep in touch with each other. Check it out: theancientonesofmaine.com

Complaints on lack of information:
I would like to remind you that I provide you with dates/information on ALL of our Club Events. It would be advisable to KEEP YOUR NEWSLETTERS as they contain this information. There is no excuse for complaints of lack of information. You have so many resources available to you: your Club Officers, your Website and your Newsletters. USE THEM!!!

2007 Outdoor Sports & Gun Show:
It's happening February 24th & 25th. At the time of the Meeting, we had approximately 35 tables and 4 or 5 booths left to sell. I spoke with Ray last week, and we are sold out. After all expenses being paid, the Club cleared over $6000 from last year's show. This is a huge event for us and we all need to contribute to making it a success. Volunteers are needed to help set up and tear down Friday afternoon. Any questions, contact Ray or another Officer. Google the show at Maine Events. Your help is also needed to hang posters!!! You can get them from Lisa Dehart. They need to be posted
starting 2/10! You may reach Lisa at (207)582-7178 for posters.

Who is running Spring Events;
Rifle Woodswalk - Shine
Smoothbore Woodswalk - Hillbilly
Archery Woodswalk - Claire/Michele
Standing Archery - No Touch Hole
Knife & Hawk Woodswalk - Mark Waugh
Standing Knife & Hawk - George
Canton Cook-Off - June Page
Skillet Toss - Merilyn

Reminder - If you are running an event you MUST
have the event set up and ready to run by Friday
morning at the LATEST. Also, do not wait until
Rendezvous to tell someone if you are unable to run
your event. It is YOUR responsibility to notify an
Officer as soon as possible if you are unable to run
your event.

Informal events at Rendezvous:
At the Meeting, it was mentioned that there should be some informal shooting or events at Rendezvous. Some possibilities in addition to informal shooting are: Classes, Team Stick Shooting, and Pick-up Matches. It's your Rendezvous - have fun!!!

Club Officers
Dave Bryant mentioned that there is a real need for members to consider becoming a Club Officer. Again, it seems to be the same people volunteering year after year. This is everyone's Club and we should all take an interest in how it's run.
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I hope you are all healthy & warm! Looking forward to seeing you at the Show!
Respectfully Submitted: Michele Briggs, Scribe
My Mailing Address:
62 Fayette Corner Road FayetteME 04349
*****Checks payable to the Ancient Ones